A Pamphlet of Concepts for DOWNTOWN TENINO The Tenino Planning Commission believes that the highest potential for economic development and business development in the City of Tenino (in the short-term) is in the historic downtown of the community. This pamphlet of concepts is meant to identify methods to attract more visitors to the downtown, encourage more business activity, and enhance the quality of place on the community s main street. While these concepts include a number of large projects, several are meant to illustrate small, simple concepts that could improve downtown through the efforts of interested citizens or businesses. These concepts (such as holding a temporary event in downtown, installing a wayfinding sign, or creating a place for a visitor or resident to sit) could be completed at minimal cost and contribute to the overall character and vitality of the area. Vision: The vision behind each of these concepts is the creation of a vibrant pedestrian-oriented business district that builds on and respects the historic character of downtown Tenino. Strategy: To reach this vision, the Tenino Planning Commission believes that it is essential to build on the distinct advantages of Tenino to encourage more residents near the downtown, more visitors to the downtown, and more businesses in the downtown. These distinct advantages (or things that are unlike any other community) include: Tenino s historic sandstone architecture, some of which was quarried less than three blocks from the buildings where it was used. The City Park, which is large for a community the size of Tenino and is located a short distance from downtown. This park includes the Quarry Pool, the Tenino Depot Museum, large Sandstone blocks quarried from the former Tenino Sandstone Company quarry, and play equipment for children. The park also connects to miles of trails through property owned by the Creekside Conservancy (the organization formerly known as the Heernet Environmental Foundation). The Yelm Tenino Bike Trail, which is 14 miles long and connects to an additional 22 miles of dedicated trails and nearby rural roads appreciated by cyclists. Goals: Three goals inform the concepts within this packet. These goals are: 1. To get more people in downtown. More people support more business. 2. To enhance the quality of place in downtown. A nice place attracts people. 3. To anticipate future parking issues. People need places to park. Goals about supporting existing and future business owners are also being considered by the Planning Commission and other groups. However, these goals are not included within this pamphlet. Questions or Comments: Questions about or suggests for these concepts can be submitted to the Tenino Planning Commission at their meetings on the second and third Wednesday of every month at Tenino City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Comments can also be made by phone to by phone to 741-2514 or by email to evanderf@trpc.org.
CONCEPT: HAVE MORE HOUSING NEAR DOWNTOWN Vision: Downtown businesses supported through permanent residents, including seniors in senior housing and residents in new mixed-use and apartment projects. Potential Housing Types Mixed-Use Walkup Apartment Townhouse Fourplex Farmers Market Port Townsend, Washington Potential Locations for Housing Near Downtown Potential Location for Commercial/ Residential/ Mixed-Use Development Landmark Howard Sussex Olympia City Hall Potential Location for Apartments Downtown Landmark (for Orientation Purposes Only)
CONCEPT: DRAW PEOPLE INTO DOWNTOWN WITH EVENTS Vision: Downtown businesses supported through temporary events that bring people into the area, such as markets, craft fairs, music shows or community movie nights. The closer the event is located to downtown the better. Farmers Market - Port Townsend, Washington This looks interes ng Potential Spaces for Temporary Events Potential Area on Private Land (With Permission from Owner) Sussex City Hall Potential Area on City Street (With Permission from City) Landmark Howard Olympia Potential Areas in Parking Lots (With Permission from Owner) Procession of the Species Olympia, Washington Downtown Landmark (for Orientation Purposes Only)
CONCEPT: GIVE PEOPLE PLACES TO SIT, WALK AND ENJOY THE DOWNTOWN Where are the people? Traffic, trucks and minimal pedestrian facilities create an unpleasant pedestrian experience in downtown. To expand sidewalks however would require regrading the entire road to allow sufficient curb height and meet accessibility requirements. Long-Term Vision: A pedestrian-friendly Sussex Avenue with wider sidewalks, slower traffic, and business seating on the street. Short-Term Vision: Outdoor cafes, pedestrian spaces, and seating on side streets, back alleys, and unique places on the front or sides of buildings. Potential Locations for Outdoor Seating in Historic Downtown A. Potential Seating Areas on Side Streets B. Potential Seating/Pedestrian Areas in Front or on Side of Building C. Potential Seating Areas Behind Building Photos of Potential Locations for Outdoor Seating A. Potential Seating Area Behind Existing Businesses B. Potential Expanded Seating In Front of Existing Businesses C. Potential Seating Area Between Existing Businesses
CONCEPT: CONNECT THE PARK TO DOWNTOWN Vision: A pedestrian friendly link to the park along Olympia Avenue, that can double as a home for community events, such as markets, fairs concerts or outdoor movies. Conceptual Site Plan Sign that Points to Park Exis ng Sidewalk (10 feet) Widened Sidewalk Ramp to Historic Bank Addi onal Trees (Especially on East Side of Road) Painted Parallel Parking Spaces New Painted Crosswalks Addi onal Trees (if Desired) New Crosswalks New Sidewalk to Trail/ Sidewalk Sign that Points to Downtown New Trees (Similar to Rest of Street) at Park Entrance
CONCEPT: DEVELOP A BIKE SYSTEM THAT LEADS PEOPLE THROUGH DOWNTOWN Vision: A bike network that leads people from the park to downtown (and visa-versa) with: Bike routes that showcase the community. Bike route markers that point people into downtown. Bike markings that guide people to the best routes to travel. 1 2 Fenton Garfield Bike Map On-Street Route Potential Additional On-Street Route A Bike Map Trail Route Olympia Howard 3 Good Location for Wayfinding Sign B Yelm Tenino Trail Nice Views Potential Wayfinding Approaches A. Stencils on Bike/Car Roads B. Wayfinding Signs Views 1. Sca er Creek and Hill 2. Mount Rainier 3. Downtown
Goal: Enhance the Quality of Place in Downtown CONCEPT: BUILD ON THE CHARACTER OF DOWNTOWN Vision: New buildings that compliment existing historic structures through features such as: Lots of Windows Three Dimensional Facades High proportions of windows on ground floor of building Recessed Windows Recessed Doorways Facing Sidewalk Structures Set At or Near the Front Property Line Plants/ Art Buildings Placed on Front Property Lines High-Quality Materials Similar Roof Lines Sandstone Brick Roof Line And Maybe Some Wood, so Long as Brick or Sandstone Touches are Present (Less Important Away from Historic Downtown on Sussex) (Less Important Away from Historic Downtown on Sussex)
Goal: Enhance the Quality of Place in Downtown CONCEPT: CREATE GATEWAYS INTO DOWNTOWN Vision: Gateways on each side of downtown that define the historic downtown area, slow traffic and act as an amenity for future development of surrounding parcels. B. Historic Downtown A. A.Ritter and Sussex Gateway (Conceptual Drawings) B. Old Hwy 99 and Sussex Gateway (Conceptual Drawing) B. Legend Sign Tree Sidewalk
Goal: Anticipate Future Parking Issues CONCEPT: BETTER UTILIZE SIDE STREETS, BACKING STREETS AND ALLEYS FOR PARKING Goal: Handle the Necessary Parking Vision: Parking on Sussex, Olympia, Howard, Hodgden, and Central Avenue, and along the alleys. If necessary, additional parking agreements made with groups like the School District and the Tenino First Presbyterian Church. Sussex (Parallel Parking to Continue) A. B. Central C. A. B. C. A. On-Street parallel parking is considered the most feasible and desirable parking arrangement at this time B. Angled parking off alleys seems to be a viable method to create more parking in downtown. Shown is one-way angled parking in the alley between Sussex and Central. C. Angled parking on one side of the road may work with two lane traffic in certain areas One-way streets with angled parking on one-side will not result in substantially more parking spaces than two-way streets with parallel parking on both sides. One-way streets with angled parking on both sides are not considered necessary, feasible or desirable at this time.